Preventing crime is always preferable to charging criminals after the fact. But crime prevention is a difficult and never-ending process, requiring cooperation among all parties and the willingness to try new approaches. If you see a crime being committed or have reason to believe criminal activity is taking place in your neighborhood, call the police. Don't take the law into your own hands because doing so can create legal problems or worse.

The following crime prevention resources and tips are intended to help you stay safe and and also be prepared in the event of a crime.

Crime Prevention Tips

The following tips will help you prevent crime in your neighborhood (check out FindLaw's Crime Victim Resources page as well):

• Always carry a cellphone or other communication device with you when out by yourself.
• If you go walking or running, always do so in well-populated areas and during daylight hours.
• If you're ever approached by a person attempting to rob you, don't put up a struggle. Your life is far more important than a cell phone or other electronic gadget.
• Never leave items in your vehicle in plain view. Car thieves will often break into your vehicle for an item that has a mere token value.
• Always lock your vehicle, even when parked in your own driveway or parking space;
• Try not to carry large sums of cash on your person.
• Park in well-lit, busy areas. Avoid leaving your vehicle in unattended parking lots for long periods of time when possible.

Crime Prevention: Resources and Organizations

The following crime prevention resources include links to nongovernmental organizations, federal agencies, and other entities focused on reducing or preventing crime.

• The National Crime Prevention Council: Raises awareness about crime rates and educates on the best ways to prevent crime; includes crime statistics, publications, and other resources.
• Crime Prevention Page: Contains publications on crime prevention from the U.S. government agency charged with maintaining statistics on crime in the U.S. (National Criminal Justice Reference Service).
• Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn't, What's Promising: A scholarly report reviewing crime statistics and prevention efforts (National Institute of Justice).
• 35 Ways to Prevent Crime: List of easy to implement tips to keep you and your family safer (JustGive.org).
• The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence: National organization dedicated to reducing gun deaths in general as well as gun-related crime.
• St. Charles County Cyber Crimes Prevention Unit: Information on how to protect children from online predators from the St. Charles County, Mo. Police Department.
• The Klaas Foundation: Keeping Children Safe: Tips parents can use to keep their kids safe from crime.
• National Association of Town Watch: Organization promoting the implementation of neighborhood watch and related programs.
• National Neighborhood Watch: Official Website of the national neighborhood watch program, with information on how to start a chapter in your neighborhood.

Additional Crime Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense, you likely have many questions. Remember, state laws are constantly changing and it's important to always be up-to-date on the laws you're researching. You can also check out the following links for more information:

• Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge
• What You Can Expect from the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Getting Arrested: Documents Your Attorney Will Need

Get Help With Your Criminal Law Matter Today

When being charged with a crime, time is of the essence. If your arraignment date, or any other court date, is fast approaching, you'll want to go into the situation as prepared as possible. But with an experienced criminal defense attorney to explain your charges, craft a solid defense strategy, and represent you in court, you will have a much better outcome.